Charles Leclerc stated he had to “pray” he would escape without damage on the run to Turn 1 in Mexico as he went wheel-to-wheel with rival drivers.
Leclerc started the grand prix from second on the grid but was sandwiched in between team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull's Max Verstappen as they approached the opening corner.
Verstappen and Leclerc both ran wide, with the latter taking the lead of the race before lifting off the throttle and conceding the position to Lando Norris.
Although Leclerc consolidated his spot over Hamilton by running off the road, the stewards did not intervene.
The Monegasqur driver went on to score second place, matching his best result of the year.
Reflecting on the opening lap chaos, Leclerc told media including RacingNews365: “I didn't enjoy that at all.
“I normally quite like fighting, but in this case, being in the middle of Lewis and Max it’s one of those kinds of situations where, as a driver, you cannot do much.
“Just pray that Max and Lewis will give me enough space just to make the corner. And I touched a little bit with Lewis.
“And then there was very poor grip on the outside, so I had to cut the corner.
“But luckily for the three of us, it had no consequences.”
Leclerc's run to second place helped lift Ferrari back into second place in the constructors' championship with four rounds remaining.
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Sam Coop, Fergal Walsh and Nick Golding, as they look back on last weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix. Lando Norris' crushing victory is a lead talking point, as is Max Verstappen keeping himself firmly in title contention.
Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!
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